Tribute to Azu Ishiekwene at 60, By Mohammed Idris, fnipr, Minister of Information and National Orientation,Federal Republic of Nigeria

Azu Ishiekwene has earned himself an indelible reputation as a man of many
parts in our industry. He has led large media organisations, has been active in
industry bodies, at home and abroad, has been a founder, judged prestigious
media competitions, and taught and trained generations of young
practitioners.
Amidst all of these, one fact cannot be missed: that at his very core, Azu sees
himself as a writer; a man whose primary calling and first love is putting pen to
paper, or finger to keyboard, and shaping public discourse in the most
insightful and illuminating of ways.
I personally think of him as a media veteran who is happiest when faced with a
blank page, waiting to be filled with words. This is who he has been, and will
always be, and I expect that even as he turns 60, we will be seeing more
writing energy and penmanship, not less, from him.
Through his words, which he has been sharing with us for decades, he has not
only consistently informed but also inspired. And along the way he has raised
generations of journalists to uphold the highest standards of integrity and
professionalism.
Azu’s legacy is one of fostering transparency, holding those in power
accountable, and championing the rights and freedoms that are the bedrock of
our democracy. I have known him now for nearly two decades, and have been
privileged to count on his support in my media business – he helped us with
the repositioning of Blueprint at a most critical time in the life of the
newspaper.
In an era where information is both a powerful tool and a potent weapon,
Azu’s dedication to truth and objectivity has set an exemplary standard for the
media. He has shown that journalism is not merely about reporting events but
about shaping narratives that reflect the values of our society – values of
justice, fairness, and equality; and constantly reminds us that a free press is
the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy.

Equally impressive is understanding that for journalism and the media to
thrive, it must be marketable, yet without compromising the foundational
standards. The media is as much a business as it is a service to society, and
integrating these two elements is a necessary for sustainability.
This tribute would not be complete without highlighting Azu’s affinity for
technology, and the ability to keep up with its rapid evolution. More than
many who belong to his generation, Azu is very comfortable with the internet
and social media, and able to creatively deploy these to advance his craft.
Indeed, the way he has used the Internet and social media for his most recent
book has left me impressed and inspired. Nigeria’s media industry truly needs
many more practitioners who can marry writing excellence with commercial
success and technological savvy – and here is Azu, eager and ready to show the
way.
Azu has now entered a phase of his life and career where he is determined to
give back to the industry, by offering valuable guidance and support to the
next generation of journalists. In doing this he is again setting a worthy
example for us all to follow.
Younger journalists need all the guidance they can get, especially in these
times when the profession appears to be at a crossroads, impacted by
powerful new technologies like artificial intelligence, and assailed by the
challenges of monetizing content in a way that is both ethical and sustainable.
Azu is very well placed to be a compass and a mentor in this regard,
challenging and reminding emerging generations to exercise press freedom
with an unwavering sense of duty, ethics and patriotism.
On this very special occasion, I wish him a happy and fulfilling 60 th Birthday,
and many more years of outstanding achievement. May his masterfully crafted
words continue to inspire, educate, and illuminate the path towards a better
and a more prosperous Nigeria.